Some people restore cars. Some people modify them. And then there’s Bertie Strauss — a man who builds machines purely for himself, in his own private workshop, to his own uncompromising standards.
No production line. No customer builds. No shortcuts.
Just passion, power, and precision.
A Private Workshop. A Personal Standard.
Bertie doesn’t build for trends. He builds for the love of American muscle, raw torque, and high-end fabrication. Every vehicle that leaves his workshop is something he’s personally crafted — from drivetrain to upholstery.
And when he says high-end fabrication, he means it. Every detail is deliberate. Every component selected for performance, strength, and presence.
The Rod: Candy Apple Brutality
At the heart of his collection sits a serious piece of machinery — a rod that blends classic muscle attitude with modern engineering precision.
The Setup:
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Stroked 454 Big Block Chevy
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Dwyer blower
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Turbo 400 gearbox
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Imported DLFord 9” differential
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4-link suspension
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Electric doors
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Electric windows
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Electronic bootlid
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Imported rims and wheels
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Candy apple red paint (done in-house)
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Upholstery done in-house
This isn’t a “throw parts at it” build. It’s a calculated combination of brutal horsepower and refined finishing.
The stroked 454 Big Block Chevy delivers massive torque, amplified by the Dwyer blower — a setup that doesn’t whisper performance… it announces it. The Turbo 400 transmission handles the power with proven reliability, while the imported Ford 9” diff ensures strength where it matters most.
The 4-link suspension setup isn’t just about traction — it’s about control. It plants the power properly and gives the car a stance that matches its aggression.
Then there’s the refinement.
Electric doors. Electric windows. An electronic bootlid. Modern convenience blended into classic muscle architecture.
The candy apple red paint, sprayed in-house, gives the car depth and drama under sunlight — that rich, layered glow that only properly done candy can achieve. Inside, the upholstery is also completed in-house, ensuring the interior matches the level of quality under the hood.
Everything about the rod speaks to intention. Nothing is accidental.
A Garage Full of Muscle
Bertie’s workshop history reads like a greatest hits list of V8 legends:
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Ferenza V8 (383 stroker)
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Ferenza V8 (350 build)
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’57 Chevy Truck with Big Block motor
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V8 Ford Capri
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Valiant Charger 383 Chrysler
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Chevy G20 Van with 400 cubic inch
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Chevy Ferenza 2.5 (original)
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Corvette C3
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2007 Lumina Ute (fully repaired after accident)
From American icons to Aussie muscle and local favourites, his builds show versatility. Big blocks, small blocks, classic trucks, street machines — all built with the same philosophy: do it properly or don’t do it at all.
The 383 Chrysler-powered Valiant Charger carries Mopar attitude. The V8 Ford Capri blends compact aggression with serious power. The ’57 Chevy truck with a big block brings vintage Americana with modern muscle. Even the Lumina Ute tells a story — rebuilt after an accident, restored not just mechanically but properly, the way a builder does it when it’s his own.
Built for Passion, Not Applause
What makes Bertie’s story different is that these aren’t customer commissions.
They’re personal.
Every weld, every paint layer, every stitch of upholstery reflects his own taste and standards. His workshop isn’t about volume — it’s about vision.
In a world where many builds are rushed for shows or social media, Bertie Strauss represents something real: old-school dedication to craft.
Steel. Boost. Candy red. And a garage full of machines that exist because one man wanted them built right.
